Asylum figures at seven year low
Applications for asylum are at the lowest levels since 1997, according to new figures released by the Home Office.
Figures for the second quarter of 2004 show a fall of 11 per cent, taking the fall in applications to 70 per cent since October 2002.
Second quarter applications stood at 7920 compared to 8940 in the first quarter of 2004.
The Home Office claims a record number of removals in 2003, up by 21 per cent, however, the quarterly figures show a six per cent fall in removals.
The Government puts this down to the enlargement of the EU, meaning that nationals from a number of new countries now have the right to work and live in the UK.
Home Office Minister Des Browne said that the Government is committed to ensuring the UK’s asylum system is “balanced” and claimed “today’s figures show that is working.
“We have cut abuse and are protecting our borders while at the same time offering a haven to those genuinely fleeing persecution, and providing controlled legal routes for workers who want to make a contribution to the UK and where it is in the interests of our economy.”
He highlighted tough asylum legislation, the closure of Sangatte, the extension of UK immigration controls on to foreign soil and the introduction of fast-track processing as reasons for the decline.
The top nationalities of those seeking asylum were Iranian, Chinese and Somali, though there was a 46 per cent decrease in the number of applications from Somalis.
The Refugee Council said, however, that the drop in applications was cause for concern. Its deputy chief executive, Margaret Lally, said: “The Government claims to be offering a safe haven to people fleeing persecution. It is therefore extremely worrying that the number of people
offered sanctuary here in the UK has fallen so dramatically when we are seeing widespread repression and conflict in many parts of the world.
“For some nationals almost half of all appeals are successful. Forty-four per cent of Somali nationals who appealed had their initial decision
overturned, as did 40 per cent of Sudanese nationals, 42 per cent of Eritreans and 30 per cent of Russians . This is wholly unacceptable – an overhaul of the initial decision-making process is clearly long overdue, if only to avoid telling people who are genuinely fleeing for their lives this country will not offer them the help and protection they so desperately need.”
